Fatty was a descendant of [[Hildibrand Took]] ({{ΤΑ|2849}} - {{ΤΑ|2934}}), one of the many sons of the [[Gerontius Took|Old Took]].<ref>{{App|Took}}</ref> He was the son of [[Odovacar Bolger]] and [[Rosamunda Took]]. Fatty was born in {{ΤΑ|2980}} and his family was from [[Budgeford]] in [[Bridgefields]] of the [[Eastfarthing]]. He also had a younger sister, [[Estella Brandybuck|Estella Bolger]] (b. {{ΤΑ|2985}}), who would eventually marry [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].

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Fatty was a descendant of [[Hildibrand Took]] ({{TA|2849}} - {{TA|2934}}), one of the many sons of the [[Gerontius Took|Old Took]].<ref>{{App|Took}}</ref> He was the son of [[Odovacar Bolger]] and [[Rosamunda Took]]. Fatty was born in {{TA|2980}} and his family was from [[Budgeford]] in [[Bridgefields]] of the [[Eastfarthing]]. He also had a younger sister, [[Estella Brandybuck|Estella Bolger]] (b. {{TA|2985}}), who would eventually marry [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].

===Conspiracy===

===Conspiracy===

Fredergar with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] stayed at the house [[Frodo Baggins]] bought at [[Crickhollow]] and prepared it as they waited for his arrival along with [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]]

Fredergar with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] stayed at the house [[Frodo Baggins]] bought at [[Crickhollow]] and prepared it as they waited for his arrival along with [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]]

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The original plan of the Conspirators was that when they left, Fredegar (who had never left the Shire) was to stay behind to deal with any "inquisitive folk" and to keep up the pretense that Frodo was still living there by wearing Frodo's clothes and keeping about the place. After learning about the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], Fatty was invited to flee with the others into the [[Old Forest]]. He claimed to be too terrified of the stories of the Forest and instead voluntarily remained behind as a decoy for the Nazgûl and expect [[Gandalf]] in case he showed up, and tell him of the events. Though Merry tried to persuade Fatty that the Old Forest would be nothing compared to meeting the Ringwraiths, Fatty was adamant, so the other Hobbits went into the Forest.<ref>{{FR|I5}}</ref>

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The original plan of the [[Conspirators]] was that when they left, Fredegar (who had never left the Shire) was to stay behind to deal with any "inquisitive folk" and to keep up the pretense that Frodo was still living there by wearing Frodo's clothes and keeping about the place. After learning about the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], Fatty was invited to flee with the others into the [[Old Forest]]. He claimed to be too terrified of the stories of the Forest and instead voluntarily remained behind as a decoy for the Nazgûl and expect [[Gandalf]] in case he showed up, and tell him of the events. Though Merry tried to persuade Fatty that the Old Forest would be nothing compared to meeting the Ringwraiths, Fatty was adamant, so the other Hobbits went into the Forest.<ref>{{FR|I5}}</ref>

The Ringwraiths did eventually come in the night to Crickhollow for Frodo and [[the One Ring|the Ring]], but Fatty, though frightened nearly witless, escaped to raise the alarm of [[Buckland]]. This caused the Nazgûl to flee, but they had learned that the Ring was gone.<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref>

The Ringwraiths did eventually come in the night to Crickhollow for Frodo and [[the One Ring|the Ring]], but Fatty, though frightened nearly witless, escaped to raise the alarm of [[Buckland]]. This caused the Nazgûl to flee, but they had learned that the Ring was gone.<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref>

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'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''

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:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended DVD Edition]], [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] greets Fredegar Bolger at the [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Farewell Party]]. The audio commentary reveals that he is played by [[Fran Walsh]]'s uncle Tom.

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:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (extended edition)]], [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] greets Fredegar Bolger at the [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Farewell Party]]. The audio commentary reveals that he is played by [[Fran Walsh]]'s uncle Tom.

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'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''

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'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''

Conspiracy

The original plan of the Conspirators was that when they left, Fredegar (who had never left the Shire) was to stay behind to deal with any "inquisitive folk" and to keep up the pretense that Frodo was still living there by wearing Frodo's clothes and keeping about the place. After learning about the Black Riders, Fatty was invited to flee with the others into the Old Forest. He claimed to be too terrified of the stories of the Forest and instead voluntarily remained behind as a decoy for the Nazgûl and expect Gandalf in case he showed up, and tell him of the events. Though Merry tried to persuade Fatty that the Old Forest would be nothing compared to meeting the Ringwraiths, Fatty was adamant, so the other Hobbits went into the Forest.[3]

The Ringwraiths did eventually come in the night to Crickhollow for Frodo and the Ring, but Fatty, though frightened nearly witless, escaped to raise the alarm of Buckland. This caused the Nazgûl to flee, but they had learned that the Ring was gone.[4]

Resistance

During Saruman's rule of the Shire, Fatty led a group of partisans fighting against the Ruffians around the hills of Scary before eventually being captured. He was imprisoned in the Lockholes and starved, (and could no longer be called "Fatty") but was rescued after the victory of the Battle of Bywater.[1]

Etymology

Other versions of the Legendarium

In The Return of the Shadow, Fatty Bolger is said to have played a much larger role, but this was later abandoned. His role survives as a minor anomaly in the published The Lord of the Rings - before the Hobbits go into the Old Forest, they have five ponies prepared - but only take four. Fatty was originally supposed to go with them.